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112th FS pilot killed in F-16 crash in Iraq
June 16, 2007 (by
Jon Somerville) -
U.S. Central Air Command released a statement indicating the aircraft was lost during a close-air-support mission over Iraq at 00.27h local time.
Public affairs officer and squadron Executive Officer Colonel Carole Allen has confirmed the aircraft belonged to the 112th FS. Sadly Colonel Allen reported that the pilot, later identified as Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Sonnenberg, was killed in the mishap. An investigation has started and official details about the loss will take a few months.
Early reports by the USAF are stating the loss was an accident.
On May 23, 2007 the 112th FS along with aircraft borrowed from the 125th FS departed Toledo, Ohio with twelve F-16Cs to be deployed to the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing at Balad Air Base, 50 miles north of Baghdad. Half the aircraft belong to the 125th FS so possibly one of this squadrons F-16s was lost, however the pilot was from the 112th FS. Early rumours are saying that the aircraft involved was #89-2031 which is a 125th FS aircraft.
It is the first such loss in more than six months. A pilot was killed when an F-16 crashed last November in the western province of Anbar.
F-16C #89-2031 from the 125th FS which is believed to be the aircraft lost, but needs confirmation. [USAF photo from 2004]
Early reports by the USAF are stating the loss was an accident.
On May 23, 2007 the 112th FS along with aircraft borrowed from the 125th FS departed Toledo, Ohio with twelve F-16Cs to be deployed to the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing at Balad Air Base, 50 miles north of Baghdad. Half the aircraft belong to the 125th FS so possibly one of this squadrons F-16s was lost, however the pilot was from the 112th FS. Early rumours are saying that the aircraft involved was #89-2031 which is a 125th FS aircraft.
It is the first such loss in more than six months. A pilot was killed when an F-16 crashed last November in the western province of Anbar.
Additional images:
USAF F-16C block 42 #89-2112 from the 112th FS is armed with AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, iron bombs and AIM-120 AMRAAMs, maneuvering over mountains during a sortie in support of Operation Northern Watch on September 23rd, 2002. [USAF photo SSgt. Shannon Collins]
USAF F-16C block 42 #89-2098 from the 112th FS is towed to the flight line during Phase I Operations for the 180th FW Operational Readiness Inspection (ORI) at the Toledo ANGB on July 13th, 2004. [USAF photo by MSgt. Sue Szklarz]
112th FS Up All Night... NVG Viper (Jon Somerville collection)
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- F-15 and F-16 midair collision (2007-06-12)
- USAF F-16 crashes in Iraq (2006-11-27)
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